Please note: Demonstrations in these videos may represent torture tests under ideal conditions and do not imply a sword will handle this type of activity consistently. Swords should only be used to cut approved materials, and proper training should be sought before partaking in this dangerous activity.

Crafted by New York bronzesmith Chris Levatino, this replica bronze sword is based on a Bronze Age sword found in Western Germany that is attributed to the proto-Celtic Hallstatt Culture of the 8th - 6th Century B.C. It is entirely cast from bronze as a single piece. The blade has come to us slightly sharpened, but should you desire a sharper, more even edge, then please select the option for our in-house sharpening service below.

This item is battle-ready according to Bronze Age standards. It is quite functional. However, we have decided not to list this item as battle-ready because the modern standards expected of a battle-ready weapon exceed the capabilities of bronze itself. Please be aware that because this item is cast, it is normal for the item to have small pitting spots from casting defects.

The archeological record is littered with bronze weapons which are surprisingly abundant thanks to the anti-corrosive properties of bronze. The best preserved ones could be sharpened and used today, as was the ‘’relatively’’ recent case of an ancient bronze sword that was wielded by a combatant in the United Irishman Rebellion of 1789!

Unlike iron and steel, bronze weapons were solid cast from earthen molds. Being softer than iron and steel, bronze blades need a thick central ridge or spine to impart as much rigidity as possible and minimize blade warping. From this thick spine, the blade rapidly tapers to a thin and keen edge.

Bronze weapons are deceptively sophisticated however - a good craftsman can ‘’harden’’ the blade edge whilst retaining the softer, unaltered core of the bronze, giving the blade properties similar to the ‘’differential hardening’’ that is most famously exhibited on traditionally made katanas. The katana, typically has a softer core and hardened edges to give the blade a shock absorbing core and a hard, sharp edge. A good bronzesmith can ‘’differentially harden’’ his blade by hammering its edges repeatedly and condensing the bronze material. This flattening makes the bronze edge dense, hard and gives it a more keen and surprisingly sharp edge. The unaltered, softer bronze core of the blade gives it shock absorbing properties. Bronze blades were rarely longer in length than what would typically be deemed ‘’short swords’’ - the longer a bronze blade is, the more easily it can be bent. Despite this shortcoming, a bent bronze sword can be returned to true without great difficulty.